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6 practical tips to choose the right bra size and type

Ever wondered why it is so difficult to find a well-fitting bra? Most Indian women are too shy to spend time at the shop trying bras on. They end up wearing ill-fitting ones which are not only bad for their aesthetics but also their health.

You need to know that ill-fitting bras can damage your breast tissue. And if it doesn’t support properly, you can get back problems, especially for women with large breasts. They get huge indentations in their shoulders, and the constant pressure can cause migraines. They can also rip your ligaments inside the breast stretching them. (Read: How to choose the right bra)

It isn’t just about the size and cup. Breasts are of different shapes too. While some of them point downwards or at odd angles, some women are soft through their sides, and with the wrong bra their breasts tend to fall outward. ‘A bra that pulls that breast tissue from the sides round to the front will be life changing for them,’ said Anya Merryfield, Rose and Thorne’s lingerie brand manager.

Here are some tips that can help you find your right fit:

1. The right bra should fit snugly, but just like with a good fit of collar on a pet dog, you should be able to get two fingers under the band comfortably. If the back of the bra is riding up or you’re pulling up the shoulder straps throughout the day, then the band size is too big. Remember you can always adjust the hooks and eyes in the back, but if this still doesn’t do the trick then you’ll need to go a size down.

2. If your bra cup is moulded, your breasts should fill it completely; you shouldn’t have extra room in the cup. Nor do you want to be spilling out of your cup, if this is the case you’ll need to go up a size.

3. Flap your arms about and wave them around. If the band rides up and your breasts start to fall out the bottom then it’s too big. If this happens, try adjusting the shoulder straps, or make the band smaller. If it’s still leaping about then go down a size.

4. If you’re getting ‘back fat’ when wearing your bra, then your bra is actually too big. Oversized bras ride up and pull your back fat up with it. Choose a smaller bra size that sits in the centre of your back where it’s supposed to be and you’ll no longer get the back fat.

5. If you’re petite in frame and you can’t find a bra that fits, try a Demi bra. A Demi has a shorter wire so you won’t be spiked in the armpits.

6. When wearing an underwire, the wire should lay flat against your breastbone. It it’s popping up, morphing or riding up, you’ve got the wrong size.

It seems that bras are not comfortable for many women, and the conversation is always about trying harder to get the right fit. Many experts say don’t wear wired bras. Too much compression, plus do they really add much function? More women are discreetly passing on wearing a bra at all. Plus, women are reporting that cysts have gone away after they stopped wearing a bra. I think it’s time to consider the bigger picture of how bras affect our comfort level, as well as our breast health.